Joanne Zosel is wrapping up her 39th year of teaching. And she’s a busy lady, teaching eight sections of math and science throughout the day in Solon Springs.

“Every day is different,” she said. “Even if I’m reaching the same subjects, it’s a different group of kids. And they bring different energy for me.”

A couple of hours, she’s teaching two classes at the same time, like Technical Math 1 and Technical Math 2. And she even pushed herself into teaching calculus based physics, for some of her advanced students.

The Ironwood native always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her father was one. And several of her siblings are as well.

She went to UWS, intending to teach music. But when she heard those classes could be on the chopping block, she got science and math degrees. Then, in 1986, she headed to Solon Springs, and the rest is history.

The room she’s in has been hers the whole time. It’s decorated by her students. The ceiling tiles dedicated to graduating classes.

“She’s definitely more than a teacher. She’s basically family to all of us,” explained Jake Taggart, a sophomore.

He remembers how she reached out and supported him during a tough cross country moment.

“I had a race I wasn’t able to finish, and she was the first person to text me when I was in the hospital,” he remembers.

She also coached cross country for several years, and still cheers on the sidelines. “You can tell she cares deeply about all of us, and she’s really encouraging,” added Penelope Burfield, another cross country athlete.

Miss Z, as the kids call her, tells us it’s important to build up the whole person. “They could have a terrible math test, and if I just saw their Christmas concert, I could say they did a stellar job there. And now we can fix this.”

She also wants them to be good role models. So she has them bring science experiments to the littler Eagles. “She’s taken time to set up her students to go into the elementary and provide lessons, so she’s getting that multi-engagement going on,” shared Pete Hopke, the superintendent.

And this goes beyond the classroom. For years, she organized the Clean Boats Clean Waters project, which gave kids the chance to help stop the spread of invasive species at area boat launches. “I was really proud to offer that job opportunity,” she added.

Now, as the years have passed, some of the students have turned co-workers, like Megan Tuura.

“She taught me how to work hard for something, especially if I didn’t understand it. She meets people right where they are at, and instills the highest expectations, and encourages them to never give up,” Tuura shared.

It doesn’t mean going easy on them, but being easy to approach.

Taleah Menton, another student, said, “At the end of our labs and experiments, we get to talk. And Mrs. Z. is more than a teacher. She’s a friend to us.”

Some call her the backbone of the school.

“She’s not just a good teacher, she’s a great person. And our school is very lucky to have her,” added Roz Blunt, another student.

A school she believes in, whole heartedly, even though they’re far away from big cities and big tax brackets. “We can provide it all here, we really can,” she emphasized.

“All the kids, even if they push my buttons, I love them all. And they know it,” she added.

Congratulations again, Miss Z! And good luck on giving another commencement speech.

Harbor Pointe Credit Union was the sponsor of the Outstanding Teacher campaign. They awarded each teacher $500.

Zosel is using hers to create a legacy suitcase project, which will make science experiments portable to the different classrooms.